The FIFA U20 Womens World Cup kicks off on Sunday, 13 November 2016 in Papua New Guinea; The Black Princesses of Ghana open their Group C fixture against New Zealand on Monday 14 NOV 2016 at the PNG football stadium before taking on USA and France respectively.
The Under-20 Womens competition is the highest level of worldwide youth competition prior to the senior World Cup itself and often the final chance for many involved to really make a name for themselves.
However, Ahead of the tournament on Sunday, Sportsworldghana.com’s writer Kelvin Prince Boateng Jnr. brings to you ten players in the Black Princesses setup that will on any good day ignite the tournament in PNG with their silky skills.
Rasheda Abdul Rahman (Midfielder, Lepo Ladies)
Born on 28 November 1996, Rasheda Abdul Rahman who plays for Ghana National Womens League Side Lepo Ladies is a bundle of energy, constantly scampering around the base of midfield, putting in tackles and shielding the defence.
She is very quick to cover ground and her impressive stamina ensures that her work rate rarely drops. Her tackling game is remarkably strong but also very fair. Her pressing game is excellent, her positioning top-notch and her never say-die attitude unflappable, all of which combine to create all the hallmarks of a classic defensive midfielder in the making.
Jane Ayieyam (Forward, Police Ladies)
Born on October 19 1997 Jane Akalachiba Ayieyam is a Clinical goal scorer who plays for Ghana National Womens League side Police Ladies.
The Female Vision of Asamoah Gyan who has six world cup goals to her name is the type of forward who instinctively knows where the goal is and knows how to find the back of the net. With exquisite technique, searing pace and bags of creativity. Jane is an intelligent footballer with good movement in and around the box another quality that fits perfectly into the template of an ideal centre forward.
Fatima Alhassan (Midfielder, ZFK Obilic)- Characterized by her versatility, 20-year-old Fatima Alhassan is a midfielder who plays for ZFK Obilic in Serbia.
The youngster who will be making her third World Cup Appearance for Ghana started her career as a right back having afterwards moved up to the midfielder. The former Hasaacas Ladies player excels as a defensive midfielder, while still being a quality passer of the ball.
4.Sandra Owusu Ansah (Forward, Supreme Ladies)
16-year-old Sandra Owusu Ansah who excelled in Jordan with the Black Maidens is one key player to watch out for.
Sandra Seems a very complete forward and mature beyond her years. Her excellent finishing and intelligent movement are two of the other main strengths of an extremely talented superstar in the making.
Belinda Anane (Defender, Youngstown State)Belinda Anane is a 18-year-old ball playing centre Back who plays for Youngstown States’s Womens Soccer team in US.
Anane, is a perfect blend of a no-nonsense limited defender and a supremely creative ball playing one. The former Black Maidens Star is very good with the ball at her feet, strong in possession and picking out the right pass. She however excels even further in the way she reads the play in the defensive third and she’s strong in the tackle.
Ernestina Abambila (Midfielder, Youngstown State)
Free-kick Specialist Ernestina Abambila who plays for the Youngstown State’s Womens soccer team in US, Is the text-book definition of a versatile midfielder.
Graceful on the ball, technically gifted and with a superb ability to pick out a pass as well as find the back of the net, The 17-year-old has been deployed in a variety of positions since her move from Hasaacas Ladies, playing deep in a defensive role, out wide in attack and further forward in an advanced midfield zone. What makes her particularly stand-out is the fact the she looks comfortable wherever she is made to play.
- Princella Adubea (Forward, Ampem Darkoa Ladies)
17-year-old Adubea was a delight to watch in the just ended Ghana National Womens League winning the top scorer award with 19 goals and helping Ampem Darkoa Ladies clinch this season’s Women’s League.
Blessed with power and pace, Adubea has that knack of finding herself in the right places in and around the box, a hallmark of any intelligent, instinctive striker.
- Faustina Ampah (Defender, Blessed Ladies)A solid body Stature to boast with her contribution to the attacking side as well, 19-year-old Blessed Ladies Captain Faustina Ampah is the definition of a ‘beast of a defender’.
Ampah’s ball distribution, physicality and knowledge on how to fit in as a midfielder makes her not only versatile but an extremely important asset for the team.
Good positioning is another strong attribute of her game. She has the talent and attributes to make it big and be a reliable centre back.
- Wasila Diwura Soale (Forward, Hasaacas.Ladies)
Wasila Diwura Soale is a 20-year-old hard-working winger who plays for Ghana National Womens League Side Hasaacas Ladies.
Wasila has many traits that are characteristic of a typical winger, She isn’t the skilful type of player, but strong, abundant with pace, willing to take on her marker and hard-working, Wasila is capable of marauding up and down the sideline all game long with her work rate.
- Lily Niber Lawrence (Forward, Hasaacas Ladies)
Juan Cuadrado’s look-alike Lily Niber Lawrence is a pacy winger who plays club football for Hasaacas Ladies.
Pace is the 19-year-old’s biggest asset, but she combines it comfortably with her dribbling ability. A willingness to take on opponent makes her a valuable option on the ball, while she certainly looks comfortable in and around the box.
Didi ‘Perfecto’ Dramani in charge and with these great above players, Ghana’s Black Princess will conquer the world.
Let’s make it happen Girls.
Go Ghana! Go Black Princesses!
